1) "Freedom" Taken in 1960.
Rhetor: Ernst Haas.
Text: Mr. Haas seems to focus on the motion of a wild horse as it gallops across the Navada desert.
Audience: The picture almost resembles a painting of a horse rather than a picture of one. Very surreal and almost wistful image.
This is the first picture of Haas that I plan on analyzing. Its called "Freedom". It is a simple image of a horse galloping across a field but what is unique is the images focus on the horses' motion in the photo. You can almost see the motions of the animal's movement in the photograph. Which is going to be my motif of this particular photographer.
2) "A Bird in Flight" Taken in 1959.
Rhetor: Ernst Haas.
Text: Motion of a bird in flight, blurred as it would appear in several photographs. Meant to show people how flight really looks like.
Audience: It looks like a bird or dove but it also looks like something out of this world. Hard to believe its something that occurs every day.
This photograph is called "A Bird in Flight" a particularly stunning photo, at least for me in just the way it has captured the motion of this dove's wing beats. What really drew me to this one was the fact at first look, I had no idea what I was looking at. Then when I took a closer look, I realized it was just an every day dove. It was just shown in a way that was completely brand new. Something I believe Haas was famous for doing. Taking every day things and making them look extraordinary.
3) "Motion Runners" Taken in 1958.
Rhetor: Ernst Haas.
Text: Much like "A Bird in Flight" the Rhetor has taken an common place image such as two people running on a beach and slowing it down so it catches every frame of motion. Meant to show a unique look on what people take for granted.
Audience: I would think at first they wouldn't know what they were looking at initially, I know I didn't. However, besides the title it is a picture you are suppose to make out the image and figure it out rather than knowing right away.
The last picture here is called "Motion Runners" another neat look on something that can be seen everyday presented in an unusual fashion. Like a few of Haas' photographs, he takes a photograph of an everyday object in motion and altering it in some way that blurs the motion in order to distort the image in a way. Why he does this, I'm not sure, but I intend to find out in this research and analysis paper.
Photos posted on 2/6/12
Rhetoric triangle responses posted: 2/13/12
2/16/2012 Metaphor, Identification, Ethos and Pathos
Photograph 1) Metaphor: The wild horse is a symbol of freedom and independence. Normally horses keep together in herds of at least 5 to 6. However in this photograph, there is only a single horse running across the desert. This shows the positive and negative connotations of being independent. While you are free to make your own choices, you serperate yourself from others.
Indentification: I can identify with this image because I've always longed to be strong enough to persue my goals without the need for constant emotional support. I also feel that the idea of having infinite amount of choices of what to do and where to go, is something of an ideal for a lot of people. Freedom is power, a power that a people feel they do not have all the time.
Ethos and Pathos: Is it right to contain and control people or animals that are born free? How do people feel as the world continues to get smaller and smaller. With areas teaming with wildlife are being torn down and replaced by expensive neighborhoods.
Photograph 2) Metaphor: The dove has come to represent a lot of different things: peace, devotion and even as an animal of God. In this photo, the dove is shown flying through the air but from a different perspective. As it continuously flaps its wings, you get to see every motion made while it flies. In this way the bird looks like something completely different. Much more of an etherial being than a common bird.
Identification: This picture represents the beautiful things we see everyday. That it is always possible to see something in a new way.
Ethos and Pathos: How many things in this world do we take for granted, what is under appreciated? What in our world is in danger of disappearing due to humanities neglegence? How would we feel if we could never see something like a dove in flight ever again?
Photograph 3) Metaphor: The setting of the beach signifies a peaceful, calm setting. While the runners are shown in an usual form to depict their speed as they pass by the rolling waves. In this way the photo contrasts itself with the traquility of the setting and the speed and excitement of the runners.
Indentification: A lot of people who have been to the beach know how calm it is in the morning, with quite a few making the choice to go on a morning walk or jog. I know I have in the past and there is really nothing like it. There is nothing but the sound of the waves and the sound of your feet hitting the soft sand. I'm sure looking at this picture could trigger pleasent memories from those who have experiance this.
Ethos and Pathos: Is it right for the runners to speed through this peaceful beach? Aren't they disturbing the peace? Viewers who have witnessed this scene of a morning on the beach are bound to feel a sort of calm nostalgia.
(2/23/12) Standards, Representational trends and Claim of all three photos
Standards:All the pictures focus on a single subject with identification, metaphor as well as ethos and pathos playing a major part in the pictures.
Representational Trends: A good deal of Ernst's photos have a motion blur of some sort.
Claim: It seems to me that the goal behind this common trend in Ernst's pictures is that he wants to take something that is taken for granted and to show it in a new way.
(2/29/12) First Draft of Rhetorical Analysis
Ernst Haas Rhetorical Analysis Essay Photographs have different meanings depending on who views them. Photographers, while knowing this, captures these moments of life they feel are worthy enough to be preserved. There is no right way to take an image, which has led to a huge amount of creative liberties when it comes to professional photography. One such photographer, Ernst Haas, took a very unique approach in his own photography. The three images I’ve chosen to analyze by this photographer were taken in the late 1950’s to the early 60s. This was the beginning of a drastic change in culture in the US. While Ernst was foreigner, born in Austria, he brought a new perspective to photography and how images can be modified to communicate rhetorically with its audience. The photographs in this analysis: “Freedom”, “Bird in Flight” and “Motion Runners” were taken from the website “Photographers Gallery.” A website that host a large number of photos taken by photographers from all over the world. A common trend in Ernst Haas’ many photographs is that they are blurry or out of focus. A strange technique to be sure, however I believe that this method of photography was an attempt to communicate to those who viewed his work, that the context of the photographs serves as a reminder of how we see the things around us and that we can see something extraordinary in the ordinary, if we look at it in just the right way. I will look at each of these photographs and look at their context, metaphorical meaning and trends in the imagery in order to demonstrate this unspoken message.
To begin with, “Freedom,” was taken in 1960. While the image does portray Haas’ style of blurred images, this one is of a lesser degree. The image depicts a wild horse running through the Nevada desert as the sunsets. A common subject for most of Haas’ pictures have been horses however, this one is different. Most of shots of wild horses normally consist of them running as a group, yet in this one, it consists of a single horse. While the wild horse has come to symbolize freedom, though their numbers have been dwindling for years. The horse in the image potentially symbolizes the idea of the wild horse and its importance in the world today. This is clear in the image due to the fact that the horse itself is blurred so you cannot make out what kind of horse you are looking at, however you can see the silhouette just fine. The setting also plays a key part in this metaphor, symbolizing the time these animals have left on our planet. As the amount of free land continues to decrease, wild horses will have nowhere to go and they will have to be caught and placed in human society. The sunset communicates this as the shadows cover the land in the picture as well as the horse in the image. Despite this bleak fate, the horse continues to run free and live their lives. While not everyone loves wild horses, they do appreciate what they stand for and their significance in our western eco system. Not to mention the ideal of complete freedom is one that people can recognize and desire. This is where the ethos of this picture comes in. Is it right to deprive any living creature to live the way it needs to? What would we do if we where suddenly denied our basic rights to pursue our own happiness? These thought provoking questions also play into the pathos of this picture. To image a beautiful animal such as a horse, captured and taken away from its natural habitat is not a happy sight to see, especially after seeing it so content in the wild. Ernst’s idea to have this image gives the subject of the photograph a much more mysterious look and still captures the simple yet beautiful look of a horse as they run, Taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. The next photograph, “A Bird in Flight,” was taken in 1959. Another one of Ernst’s nature photographs it depicts a bird as it flies through the sky. It also has been shot out of focus and blurry but done to an interesting effect. While you can still make out the basic outline of the bird, it also appears completely different. The blur also matches the motions of the bird as it flaps its wings and moves forward. Symbolically, the bird or dove, represents many things, such as, peace, devotion and even as an animal of God. While the light blue sky set behind it is the closest thing that comes to mind when people think of heaven. The off focus image does even more than demonstrate the motions of flight but it also morphs the bird into a sort of ethereal being, almost angel like. People who have looked at this photo, at least that I have noticed, all seem to give this photo the same reaction, “Wow! That is beautiful.” Why is that the common reaction? Is it the reaction that Ernst had in mind when he took it? I think so. This is due to the fact that most of his pictures, save a few, are based on nature or common visuals that people would normally not take a second glance at. Yet with presenting the images in an unusual way, people instantly take notice. Due to the fact that the image is, in reality, just a regular bird, people might begin to look at these regular occurrences with a little more fascination or appreciation. What kind of things do we take for granted each day? What is it about our world that is in danger of disappearing due to the fact that human beings don’t appreciate their existence? A very environmentalist message likely targeted to people who are normally apathetic to it. Through the use of metaphor, identification of a common animal, plus the ethos and pathos hidden in the image, I believe that this image of “A Bird in Flight” is one of Ernst Haas’ most successful images in showing a new perspective on an everyday creature. The third and final picture, “Motion Runners,” was taken in 1958. This image is littered in metaphysical contrasts. People can identity with the beach being a place of excitement, but also a place of peace and calm. This is incredibly true during the morning hours. It is also easy to recognize that the beach is a popular place to run, jog or walk. I have done this many times during my trips to the beach. Yet the act of running itself is a very taxing and exhilarating activity. Metaphorically, this image has two contrasting figures that seem to balance it out, though it can be argued that the subject of the photograph does not even look human. Ernst seems to have taken his blurry imagery to a heightened level in this photograph, blurring out the body of the runners to the point that their bodies do not seem proportionate. Though it does give the idea that the runners are moving at a high speed as they cross the beach. Though the subject and the setting contrast, the photograph does certainly trigger a sort of calm nostalgia or peaceful feeling, at least for those who recognize the setting and have experienced it firsthand. A distinct difference between this photograph and the two previous photographs is that it is not explicitly a nature photograph, since the subject is of two people. Yet, does that mean that this image does not have the same trend as the two previous photo? What is the photographer trying to communicate to his audience with this image? Its is my belief, like “Bird in Flight,” Ernst is taking an image that is common to see in people’s everyday lives but make them look at it in a different way. To show that it is possible to see even the everyday tasks and objects in an appealing way, that everything we see is unique and beautiful. There is a phrase in the world of science fiction, “Holy curiousity,” that as long as people remain inquisitive about whatever they come across, they will continue to learn and adapt to whatever comes their way. That humanity as a whole will benefit from the persuit of knowledge and understanding, helping to evolve in a positive way. Through his photography, I believe that Ernst Haas, has taken a less direct way of expressing the need to look at what we see in new ways every single day. By showing his images in what is normally considered an unprofessional fashion, he takes the viewer out of their comfort zone and has them slowly piece together what they are looking at. Once they realize what it is, they come to the realization that even something that they have seen everyday of their life could look that way. Demonstrating that remaining complacent with the status quo is not entirely a good thing. It is always important to look at people, places and things in new ways. If we continue to do so, something new may be discovered or be appreciated like they should be instead of being taken for granted.
Bibliography Barthes, Roland. "Rhetoric of the Image." 153-63. Print. Faigley. "Understanding Visual Arguments." Print. Ramage, John D. Rhetoric: A User's Guide. New York: Pearson Longman, 2006. Print.
1.) I think this paper does demonstrate appropriate rhetorical analysis. I think she could include more of the context from which the photographs were taken (ie. Photographer, the changing times in America—why there would be a need to persuade the audience to see ordinary objects as beautiful). The ethos of the rhetor is established, and the intention behind the paper is established. Who do you think the intended audience though—is it everyone? Or certain people? Do you think the message fulfills its purpose. I think you address this.
2.) The paper argues that the images try to communicate to the audience the necessity of looking at ordinary things around us as extraordinary. I think this was an appropriate conclusion for the images, and conveyed in a manner that justified the claim. I think there more could be delved into in terms of why he might have chose a horse, a dove, or runners, but I get that they are just random everyday subjects.
3.) Like #2: making the ordinary be looked at as extraordinary. She also brings in this concept of “holy curiosity” which is her own take, and can be used throughout the paper, to look at the depth in the photos. But at the same time, the “ordinary” subjects are pretty special: doves, horses, humans; compared to ants and tadpoles, they have specific connotations and symbols obvious within the culture which not everything in nature has. Perhaps you could emphasize the “specialness” of the subjects chosen along with the ordinariness (which you do in part).
4.) I liked how much metaphor, ethos and pathos were discussed in comparison to the images; clearly Faigley was used. It would be nice to see more ideas from Barthes, Berger, and Blakesley&Brooke if you could fit it in anywhere. I think it’s a great start though.
~Danica Cantrell
PHOTOGRAPHY AUDIENCE PROFILE SHEET
Viewer’s Name: Molly Aschard Viewer’s Job Title: Stay at home mom of the early 60s.
Kind of Viewer:
Primary
Secondary
Education:
At least high school graduate.
A Senior in Collage. Focusing on writing and reading studies but also in the interpretation and storytelling through visual media.
Professional Experience:
housewife though she has had past experiance as a sectretary for the local bank.
Little to none as of yet, beyond the editor position in the Student run newsroom.
Job Responsibilities:
Cooking, washing clothes, cleaning, helping children with their school work, gardening, shopping.
Emailing and coordinating writing assignments, putting together weekly newspaper layouts, editing articles, choosing photographs that work well with the articles, etc
Personal Characteristics:
Very protective of her children, so she does not regret giving up her job. She is a bit frivolous, spending tons of money shopping for new appliances that would benefit the home.
Very dedicated to the work I do and because of that I can be a bit of a perfectionist at times. I'm also eager to learn new things related to my desired profession. I have a huge passion for stories whether they be told through words or images.
Personal Preferences:
Having grown up in the late during the late 40's early 50's she is excited with all the changes for the approaching decade and what it will mean for her children. However at the same time, it also makes her very nervous about what her children will get into so she makes sure to always know where they are. Prefers to see pictures of people in Life magazine, celebrities, unique family stories, etc. Though it is nice when they have stories on animals and the enviroment.
I generally prefer pictures of animals and nature than profile images, that or very well done illustrations.
Cultural Characteristics:
Much like most who grew up in the 50s she is terrified of Communists. Though despite that fear, Molly has a new found interest to travel to non-communist countries with her family should the scare of nuclear war fare blows over. The changes in media have also thrown her for a loop, now that TV is becoming more popular and even changing to color is incredibly strange. Though it can be entertaining at times.
As a child of the late 80s early 90s, I have been heavily influence by television and video games. Though it has peaked due to the introduction and expansion of the internet and its ability to share information about all that I enjoy. I'm also very interested in travel and exploring other countries to see how different they are from our own, namely england and even as far away as Japan.
Attitude Toward the Photographer:
When she first started to see his pictures in Life Magazine, Molly thought that he couldn't even take a picture right. The fact that they had become so blurry since the magazine when to color reduced the quality of the magazine, causing to skip articles with his pictures. However the more she saw of it, the more she began to accept it, that it was just a new take on something simple.
So far that I have seen his work, I have been very impressed with his individuality when it comes to both subjects and method of taking photos.
Attitude Toward the Subject:
After a bit of looking, she can recognize that the subjects of each photograph are all things she has seen before: a horse, bird, people running on the beach. It is a bit frustrating that the photographer didn't just take the straight picture and had to make it difficult to tell.
I know I have seen subjects like this before, however I think Haas' methods of presenting them the way he does gives a new perspective on how pictures can be taken and what qualifies as a 'good' photo.
Expectations about the Subject:
She had expected the subjects of the images to look straightforward and clear instead of blurry and almost hard to look at. If it was clear, the meaning of how it fits into the article would make a lot more sense.
When i looked at his earlier photographs, I was expecting more simple shots of landscapes, horses and people (the three most common subjects) but I was pleasently surprised by the out of focus style.
Expectations about the Photograph:
I was not expecting his photos from the late 50s to be in color.
Reasons for Viewing the Photograph:
These pictures go hand in hand with the articles in the magazine, if the pictures are interesting enough, it is normally a good sign that the article is worth reading.
I was trying to get a good idea of a photographer to cover for my class project that would stand out from the rest so it would be easier for me to talk about.
*Way of Viewing the Photograph:
On the latest issue of Life magazine.
On the Internet, via a photography website.
Viewing Skill:
She can tell a good photo from a bad photo, in term of being able to see the subject clearly instead of blurry image. This comes from experiance taking family photographs not from professional work.
While I have a general idea about visual criticism, I haven't really been trained to look for visual rhetoric till i took this class.
Viewer’s Physical Environment:
In the local salon, waiting for the curlers to be finished.
At home. Waiting for my roommates to finish dinner, so I can get back to work on my latest class project. Small apartment room.
Rhetor: Ernst Haas.
Text: Mr. Haas seems to focus on the motion of a wild horse as it gallops across the Navada desert.
Audience: The picture almost resembles a painting of a horse rather than a picture of one. Very surreal and almost wistful image.
This is the first picture of Haas that I plan on analyzing. Its called "Freedom". It is a simple image of a horse galloping across a field but what is unique is the images focus on the horses' motion in the photo. You can almost see the motions of the animal's movement in the photograph. Which is going to be my motif of this particular photographer.
2) "A Bird in Flight" Taken in 1959.
Rhetor: Ernst Haas.
Text: Motion of a bird in flight, blurred as it would appear in several photographs. Meant to show people how flight really looks like.
Audience: It looks like a bird or dove but it also looks like something out of this world. Hard to believe its something that occurs every day.
This photograph is called "A Bird in Flight" a particularly stunning photo, at least for me in just the way it has captured the motion of this dove's wing beats. What really drew me to this one was the fact at first look, I had no idea what I was looking at. Then when I took a closer look, I realized it was just an every day dove. It was just shown in a way that was completely brand new. Something I believe Haas was famous for doing. Taking every day things and making them look extraordinary.
3) "Motion Runners" Taken in 1958.
Rhetor: Ernst Haas.
Text: Much like "A Bird in Flight" the Rhetor has taken an common place image such as two people running on a beach and slowing it down so it catches every frame of motion. Meant to show a unique look on what people take for granted.
Audience: I would think at first they wouldn't know what they were looking at initially, I know I didn't. However, besides the title it is a picture you are suppose to make out the image and figure it out rather than knowing right away.
The last picture here is called "Motion Runners" another neat look on something that can be seen everyday presented in an unusual fashion. Like a few of Haas' photographs, he takes a photograph of an everyday object in motion and altering it in some way that blurs the motion in order to distort the image in a way. Why he does this, I'm not sure, but I intend to find out in this research and analysis paper.
All photos discovered at http://www.photographersgallery.com.
Photos posted on 2/6/12
Rhetoric triangle responses posted: 2/13/12
2/16/2012 Metaphor, Identification, Ethos and Pathos
Photograph 1) Metaphor: The wild horse is a symbol of freedom and independence. Normally horses keep together in herds of at least 5 to 6. However in this photograph, there is only a single horse running across the desert. This shows the positive and negative connotations of being independent. While you are free to make your own choices, you serperate yourself from others.
Indentification: I can identify with this image because I've always longed to be strong enough to persue my goals without the need for constant emotional support. I also feel that the idea of having infinite amount of choices of what to do and where to go, is something of an ideal for a lot of people. Freedom is power, a power that a people feel they do not have all the time.
Ethos and Pathos: Is it right to contain and control people or animals that are born free? How do people feel as the world continues to get smaller and smaller. With areas teaming with wildlife are being torn down and replaced by expensive neighborhoods.
Photograph 2) Metaphor: The dove has come to represent a lot of different things: peace, devotion and even as an animal of God. In this photo, the dove is shown flying through the air but from a different perspective. As it continuously flaps its wings, you get to see every motion made while it flies. In this way the bird looks like something completely different. Much more of an etherial being than a common bird.
Identification: This picture represents the beautiful things we see everyday. That it is always possible to see something in a new way.
Ethos and Pathos: How many things in this world do we take for granted, what is under appreciated? What in our world is in danger of disappearing due to humanities neglegence? How would we feel if we could never see something like a dove in flight ever again?
Photograph 3) Metaphor: The setting of the beach signifies a peaceful, calm setting. While the runners are shown in an usual form to depict their speed as they pass by the rolling waves. In this way the photo contrasts itself with the traquility of the setting and the speed and excitement of the runners.
Indentification: A lot of people who have been to the beach know how calm it is in the morning, with quite a few making the choice to go on a morning walk or jog. I know I have in the past and there is really nothing like it. There is nothing but the sound of the waves and the sound of your feet hitting the soft sand. I'm sure looking at this picture could trigger pleasent memories from those who have experiance this.
Ethos and Pathos: Is it right for the runners to speed through this peaceful beach? Aren't they disturbing the peace? Viewers who have witnessed this scene of a morning on the beach are bound to feel a sort of calm nostalgia.
(2/23/12) Standards, Representational trends and Claim of all three photos
Standards:All the pictures focus on a single subject with identification, metaphor as well as ethos and pathos playing a major part in the pictures.
Representational Trends: A good deal of Ernst's photos have a motion blur of some sort.
Claim: It seems to me that the goal behind this common trend in Ernst's pictures is that he wants to take something that is taken for granted and to show it in a new way.
(2/29/12) First Draft of Rhetorical Analysis
Ernst Haas Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Photographs have different meanings depending on who views them. Photographers, while knowing this, captures these moments of life they feel are worthy enough to be preserved. There is no right way to take an image, which has led to a huge amount of creative liberties when it comes to professional photography. One such photographer, Ernst Haas, took a very unique approach in his own photography. The three images I’ve chosen to analyze by this photographer were taken in the late 1950’s to the early 60s. This was the beginning of a drastic change in culture in the US. While Ernst was foreigner, born in Austria, he brought a new perspective to photography and how images can be modified to communicate rhetorically with its audience.
The photographs in this analysis: “Freedom”, “Bird in Flight” and “Motion Runners” were taken from the website “Photographers Gallery.” A website that host a large number of photos taken by photographers from all over the world. A common trend in Ernst Haas’ many photographs is that they are blurry or out of focus. A strange technique to be sure, however I believe that this method of photography was an attempt to communicate to those who viewed his work, that the context of the photographs serves as a reminder of how we see the things around us and that we can see something extraordinary in the ordinary, if we look at it in just the right way. I will look at each of these photographs and look at their context, metaphorical meaning and trends in the imagery in order to demonstrate this unspoken message.
To begin with, “Freedom,” was taken in 1960. While the image does portray Haas’ style of blurred images, this one is of a lesser degree. The image depicts a wild horse running through the Nevada desert as the sunsets. A common subject for most of Haas’ pictures have been horses however, this one is different. Most of shots of wild horses normally consist of them running as a group, yet in this one, it consists of a single horse. While the wild horse has come to symbolize freedom, though their numbers have been dwindling for years. The horse in the image potentially symbolizes the idea of the wild horse and its importance in the world today. This is clear in the image due to the fact that the horse itself is blurred so you cannot make out what kind of horse you are looking at, however you can see the silhouette just fine. The setting also plays a key part in this metaphor, symbolizing the time these animals have left on our planet. As the amount of free land continues to decrease, wild horses will have nowhere to go and they will have to be caught and placed in human society. The sunset communicates this as the shadows cover the land in the picture as well as the horse in the image. Despite this bleak fate, the horse continues to run free and live their lives.
While not everyone loves wild horses, they do appreciate what they stand for and their significance in our western eco system. Not to mention the ideal of complete freedom is one that people can recognize and desire. This is where the ethos of this picture comes in. Is it right to deprive any living creature to live the way it needs to? What would we do if we where suddenly denied our basic rights to pursue our own happiness? These thought provoking questions also play into the pathos of this picture. To image a beautiful animal such as a horse, captured and taken away from its natural habitat is not a happy sight to see, especially after seeing it so content in the wild. Ernst’s idea to have this image gives the subject of the photograph a much more mysterious look and still captures the simple yet beautiful look of a horse as they run, Taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary.
The next photograph, “A Bird in Flight,” was taken in 1959. Another one of Ernst’s nature photographs it depicts a bird as it flies through the sky. It also has been shot out of focus and blurry but done to an interesting effect. While you can still make out the basic outline of the bird, it also appears completely different. The blur also matches the motions of the bird as it flaps its wings and moves forward. Symbolically, the bird or dove, represents many things, such as, peace, devotion and even as an animal of God. While the light blue sky set behind it is the closest thing that comes to mind when people think of heaven. The off focus image does even more than demonstrate the motions of flight but it also morphs the bird into a sort of ethereal being, almost angel like.
People who have looked at this photo, at least that I have noticed, all seem to give this photo the same reaction, “Wow! That is beautiful.” Why is that the common reaction? Is it the reaction that Ernst had in mind when he took it? I think so. This is due to the fact that most of his pictures, save a few, are based on nature or common visuals that people would normally not take a second glance at. Yet with presenting the images in an unusual way, people instantly take notice.
Due to the fact that the image is, in reality, just a regular bird, people might begin to look at these regular occurrences with a little more fascination or appreciation. What kind of things do we take for granted each day? What is it about our world that is in danger of disappearing due to the fact that human beings don’t appreciate their existence? A very environmentalist message likely targeted to people who are normally apathetic to it. Through the use of metaphor, identification of a common animal, plus the ethos and pathos hidden in the image, I believe that this image of “A Bird in Flight” is one of Ernst Haas’ most successful images in showing a new perspective on an everyday creature.
The third and final picture, “Motion Runners,” was taken in 1958. This image is littered in metaphysical contrasts. People can identity with the beach being a place of excitement, but also a place of peace and calm. This is incredibly true during the morning hours. It is also easy to recognize that the beach is a popular place to run, jog or walk. I have done this many times during my trips to the beach. Yet the act of running itself is a very taxing and exhilarating activity. Metaphorically, this image has two contrasting figures that seem to balance it out, though it can be argued that the subject of the photograph does not even look human.
Ernst seems to have taken his blurry imagery to a heightened level in this photograph, blurring out the body of the runners to the point that their bodies do not seem proportionate. Though it does give the idea that the runners are moving at a high speed as they cross the beach. Though the subject and the setting contrast, the photograph does certainly trigger a sort of calm nostalgia or peaceful feeling, at least for those who recognize the setting and have experienced it firsthand.
A distinct difference between this photograph and the two previous photographs is that it is not explicitly a nature photograph, since the subject is of two people. Yet, does that mean that this image does not have the same trend as the two previous photo? What is the photographer trying to communicate to his audience with this image? Its is my belief, like “Bird in Flight,” Ernst is taking an image that is common to see in people’s everyday lives but make them look at it in a different way. To show that it is possible to see even the everyday tasks and objects in an appealing way, that everything we see is unique and beautiful.
There is a phrase in the world of science fiction, “Holy curiousity,” that as long as people remain inquisitive about whatever they come across, they will continue to learn and adapt to whatever comes their way. That humanity as a whole will benefit from the persuit of knowledge and understanding, helping to evolve in a positive way. Through his photography, I believe that Ernst Haas, has taken a less direct way of expressing the need to look at what we see in new ways every single day. By showing his images in what is normally considered an unprofessional fashion, he takes the viewer out of their comfort zone and has them slowly piece together what they are looking at. Once they realize what it is, they come to the realization that even something that they have seen everyday of their life could look that way. Demonstrating that remaining complacent with the status quo is not entirely a good thing. It is always important to look at people, places and things in new ways. If we continue to do so, something new may be discovered or be appreciated like they should be instead of being taken for granted.
Bibliography
Barthes, Roland. "Rhetoric of the Image." 153-63. Print.
Faigley. "Understanding Visual Arguments." Print.
Ramage, John D. Rhetoric: A User's Guide. New York: Pearson Longman, 2006. Print.
1.) I think this paper does demonstrate appropriate rhetorical analysis. I think she could include more of the context from which the photographs were taken (ie. Photographer, the changing times in America—why there would be a need to persuade the audience to see ordinary objects as beautiful). The ethos of the rhetor is established, and the intention behind the paper is established. Who do you think the intended audience though—is it everyone? Or certain people? Do you think the message fulfills its purpose. I think you address this.
2.) The paper argues that the images try to communicate to the audience the necessity of looking at ordinary things around us as extraordinary. I think this was an appropriate conclusion for the images, and conveyed in a manner that justified the claim. I think there more could be delved into in terms of why he might have chose a horse, a dove, or runners, but I get that they are just random everyday subjects.
3.) Like #2: making the ordinary be looked at as extraordinary. She also brings in this concept of “holy curiosity” which is her own take, and can be used throughout the paper, to look at the depth in the photos. But at the same time, the “ordinary” subjects are pretty special: doves, horses, humans; compared to ants and tadpoles, they have specific connotations and symbols obvious within the culture which not everything in nature has. Perhaps you could emphasize the “specialness” of the subjects chosen along with the ordinariness (which you do in part).
4.) I liked how much metaphor, ethos and pathos were discussed in comparison to the images; clearly Faigley was used. It would be nice to see more ideas from Barthes, Berger, and Blakesley&Brooke if you could fit it in anywhere. I think it’s a great start though.
~Danica Cantrell
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